Travel Guides

Namche Bazaar

One of the most popular stops on any Himalayan trek, Namche
Bazaar makes a good rest stop on the climb to Mount Everest base
camp, and many trekkers spend at least a day there to acclimatise
to the high altitude (two days is better). Namche is the unofficial
capital of the Khumbu region: it started out as a trading post, a
place where locals met to barter and exchange goods, and despite
its popularity as a stop for trekkers it has remained a small
settlement. The town has a variety of accommodation, restaurants,
teahouses, and shops that mostly sell supplies for trekking. From
just above the village, trekkers will get their first view of Mount
Everest itself. The main attractions in Namche Bazaar include the
weekly market at the centre of the village, and the small Namche
Monastery. The Sagarmatha National Park Visitor's Centre is located
in the top end of the village and offers information on wildlife in
the area; the Museum of Sherpa Life, located just above the
village, is worth a visit; and the Museum of Local Medicinal Plants
is interesting for those curious about traditional healing
techniques. As Namche is the only place in the region to offer
money changing facilities (besides Lukla) trekkers should ensure
that they have sufficient cash for the remainder of their journey
before leaving.